How Oakland football QB Kade Hewitt will be a more integral part of offense this season
Oakland senior quarterback Kade Hewitt is in a much different position entering the season than he was in his first year with the Patriots.
Gone are offensive stars Jordan James (now at Oregon), Isaiah Horton (Miami) and Antonio Patterson (Florida International), along with other key contributors to Oakland's back-to-back Class 6A state championships.
That will put a lot more responsibility on the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Hewitt.
"The weight has maneuvered. ... We're trying to fill in gaps and trying to figure it out the best we can, after losing the big weapons we had," Hewitt said.
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With the weapons he had last year, Hewitt didn't have to force a lot during games. He completed 75 of 120 passes for 1,454 yards with 18 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
He will have to carry more of the load offensively, at least until some of the younger Patriots settle in.
"I think it just depends on how we're doing," Hewitt said. "We go week by week, and (Coach Kevin) Creasy's game plan changes every week. We have to try to be as versatile as possible.
"It just depends on performance. I definitely have to step up. I've got to earn my role, earn that weight on my shoulders, and just like everyone else, I have to find my spot."
One aspect of Hewitt's game that Patriot fans haven't seen a lot is his running ability.
He came to Oakland after a sophomore year at Riverdale in which started three games at quarterback (and also played tight end) and ran for 126 yards with four touchdowns.
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He didn't run a lot last season, but on Thursday during a scrimmage against Independence he showed off his legs on a designed draw play that led to a field goal, scrambling more than 20 yards and laying a big hit at the end.
"I think he's going to have to be a more integral part of leading our offense," Creasy said. "He's definitely got some plays in which he can run the ball, an option to run or an option to throw. Our offense definitely hasn't changed, but it's transformed, knowing he's a dual threat for us."
Hewitt's coaches and teammates are confident in his ability to lead one of the most inexperienced offenses Oakland has had in several years.
"He's been a real good leader to the younger guys lately, telling them what to do and how he's going to throw the ball," said Oakland senior running back Khalil James, who scored the Patriots' lone touchdown Thursday in a 10-7 Patriot win during two quarters of varsity play.
"He's going to be a real big part of our offense this year."
"He's got a lot weighing on him, but he's willing to be that guy," Creasy said. "He's always been a winner. When he got to us, we didn't know if he was a quarterback, but we knew he was a winner. Now he's a great leader and a great quarterback.
"I think he's a great field general. He's made out of the right stuff. People will gravitate to that. We're expecting a big year out of him."
Oakland, which has won 30 in a row, opens the season at home at 7 p.m. Thursday against Hendersonville.
Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Oakland football quarterback Kade Hewitt leading young offense
